Bowling ball retrieving device

ABSTRACT

A one piece positive contact bowling ball retriever device, having no moving parts. It is secured to the inside of the ball return wheel and circum rotates with the wheel. It has a lead finger guide designed to assist in the differentiating of pins and the ball, as the pins go their way the lead finger guide captures, guides and holds the ball in its concave radius to be lifted and deposited in one smooth continuous flowing motion for subsequent discharge into the bowling ball return. This positive contact device nether contributes to nor is it affected by slippage and drag caused by the oil and dust normally associated with automatic bowling machinery. By using this positive contact device, ball friction will no longer have to be artificially supplied by the use of temporary rubber ball kickers and the machine r.p.m.s can be reduced for longer equipment life and more economical operation. Ball retriever  1  eliminates the need for manufactures to friction compensate by operating at 36 r.p.m, this inventor suggests that the bowling machinery may now be operated at a lower r.p.m using belt and pulley reduction, however, other speeds and means of speed reduction could also be used.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] None

STATEMENT AS TO RIGHT TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The field of the invention is generally that of a positive contact bowling ball return device and more specifically to a convexo-concave ball retrieving apparatus so fabricated as to capture, guide, lift and deposit in one smooth continuous flowing motion, a bowling ball for subsequent discharge into a bowling ball return. In the bowling industry there are certain mechanical malfunctions directly associated with the operation of automatic bowling machinery these problems are most commonly referred to as spinners, Yo-yos and lane stoppages. It is these machinery malfunctions that constitute a meaningful overhead cost to the industry, these unnecessary problems result in a loss of revenue due to equipment downtime, bowler inconvenience, frustration, loss of customer satisfaction and the added cost for providing the personnel whose time would be better spent for other maintenance.

[0004] In reference to the Brunswick automatic pinsetter bowling machine, in particular models A and A2 which constitute a major percent of the bowling market, the bowling ball automatically finds its way for deposit onto the ball return wheel. It is at this time that the malfunction called spinning occurs. When the large static mass of a round bowling ball, excess oil on the ball and a lack of friction meet a continuously moving ball return wheel, moving at approximately 36 R.P the bowling bail will take the path of least resistance and just sit there and spin. It is this same lack of friction that causes the ball to yo-yo or malfunction in another location of the ball return path. The environment inherent to the operation of automatic bowling equipment is naturally oily, dirty and subject to electrostatics which act in concert to attract even more dirt, it is this oil and dirt that introduces slippage and drag and acts as a deterrent to maintaining a constant friction for a smooth, efficient, trouble free and timely bowling ball return. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that to insure that a large mass bowling ball will be return routed, through automatic machinery without slippage or drag, requires a precise amount of applied friction.

[0005] It is an observation of this inventor that it has been indeed difficult, for manufactures, to achieve and maintain this correct amount of friction due to the constantly changing machine environment of oil and natural wear and the large mass of the ball. Prior art has superficially approached this problem of friction, mass and the phenomena of spin by applying three thin strips of carpet or belting material to the ball return wheel, held in place by adhesives and by increasing the r.p.m. of the automatic machinery. Application of this disposable ball kicker, by prior art, provides inadequate and only temporary friction as the tape very quickly again becomes saturated with oil creating a potential fire hazard, becomes ineffective and must be continuously disposed of in land fills. Typical costs to the operators for three eighteen inch strips of tape per machine, in a fifty-lane bowling alley, could be in excess of two hundred dollars per month and than must be replaced.

[0006] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that this one piece stand alone ball retriever device, having no moving parts, that captures, guides, lifts and deposits in one continuous flowing motion eliminates the need for disposable ball kickers and other ball return aids having moving parts.

[0007] It will be farther appreciated by those skilled in the art that this one piece positive contact device will no longer require the higher machine speed of 36 R.P.M., it can now be operated at approximately ⅓ the R.P.M. thereby reducing the ball wheel revolutions, excessive wear on the guide rollers, flanges, drive belts, bearings, pulleys, reducing ball and pin damage, extend machinery life and will result in an overall energy saving. It is another observation of this inventor that the ball lift rods will no longer have to be manufactured with a rubber coating to provide friction as the lead guide finger of this device capture and holds the ball in a concave radius, applying a constant pressure against the back ball lift rod. It is a further observation of this inventor that due to the ball retriever one piece simplicity it could ultimately be incorporated into the manufactures fabrication of the ball return wheel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention is a one piece structure having no moving parts that when secured to the ball return wheel captures, guides, lifts and deposits in one smooth continuous flowing motion, a bowling ball for subsequent discharge into a bowling ball return. This positive action device provides the integrity of a constant friction against a bowling ball on its return path through automatic bowling machinery, it being impervious to slippage caused by lubricants and drag caused by dust and dirt. This device eliminates the need for disposable ball kickers and other ball return aids having moving parts and allows the automatic machinery to be operated at a lower r.p.m. thereby extending machinery lifetime and for a savings of energy.

[0009] It is an object of the invention to provide the user a device that reduces automatic bowling machinery downtime and a subsequent loss of revenue by eliminating spinners and ball hang-ups regardless of how much oil is on the ball.

[0010] It is another object of the invention to provide the user a one piece device, having no moving parts, that eliminates the need for disposable ball kickers and other ball return aids having moveable components.

[0011] It is a further object of the invention to provide the user a more environmentally friendly device that eliminates the need for the disposal of oil soaked rubber ball kickers and carpet strips into land fill areas.

[0012] It is another object of the invention to provide the user safer operation of automatic bowling machinery by eliminating a potential fire hazard posed by the presence of oil saturated kicker strips.

[0013] It is a further object of the invention to provide the user a device that reduces the excessive wear on automatic bowling machinery such as bearings, guides, belts and drives by allowing the user to operate the equipment at a lower r.p.m.

[0014] It is another object of the invention to provide the user a more energy efficient operating system by allowing them to operate at a lower r.p.m.

[0015] It is a another object of the invention to provide the user a device that reduces bowling ball and pin damage by allowing them to operate at a slower r.p.m.

[0016] It is a further object of the invention to provide the user a device that helps speed bowling pins on the rear of the pit conveyor into the pin elevator thereby reducing the setup time of bowling pins.

[0017] It is a further object of the invention to provide the user a device that eliminates the expense and danger of using hazardous cleaning materials and eliminates the time required by a mechanic to clean the ball return wheel.

[0018] It is another object of the invention to provide the user a device that reduces mechanical downtime thereby saving the expense of replacing expensive bearings on rollers and pulleys.

[0019] It is a further object of the invention to provide the user a field upgrade kit to slow down the automatic bowling machinery to facilitate smoother operation and provide longer machinery lifetimes.

[0020] Further objects are implicit in the detailed descriptions which follows hereinafter (which is to be considered as exemplary of, but not specifically limiting, the present invention) and said objects will be apparent to persons skilled in the art after a careful study of the detailed descriptions which follows.

[0021] For the purpose of clarifying the nature of the present invention, one exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the hereinbelow-described figures of the accompanying drawing and is described in detail hereinafter. It is to be taken as representative of the multiple embodiments of the invention which lie within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one exemplary embodiment of one representative form of the invention.

[0023]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing one exemplary embodiment of one representative form of the invention.

[0024]FIG. 3 is another perspective view showing one exemplary embodiment of one representative form of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Referring to FIG. 1. Bowling ball retriever 1 is a positive contact singularity base, that is to say, it is a one piece contact device having no moving parts. Ball retriever 1 is secured to the ball return wheel 6 with pop rivets 2, however other means of securing or fastening may also be used. The bottom 7 of ball retriever 1 is configured convex to physically comply with the inside radius of the ball return wheel 8, however that is not to say that another bottom configuration could be used if required by another form of fastening. The lead guide finger 9 of retriever 1 is designed to retrieve the ball, differentiating between ball and pin, to guide, capture and house the ball in its concave leading edge 10 for lift and delivery for subsequent discharge into a ban return. The ball, held in the radius of the lead guide finger 11 applies the correct amount of pressure against the back ball lift rod 12 eliminating the need for the rubber friction compensator. The leading edge 13 of ball retriever 1 is of a particular radius, however, other shapes or radii could also be used. The top trailing edge 14 of ball retriever 1 is of a angle for easy deposit of the ball into the ball return at the top of the ball lift, however another shape or angle could also be used. Ball retriever 1 eliminates the need for the manufacture to friction compensate the ball return system by operating at 36 r.p.m, this inventor suggests that the bowling machinery be now operated at a lower r.p.m. by using belt and pulley reduction, however, other means of speed reduction may also be used. Elongated front angled edge 3 expedites the separation of the bowling ball and bowling pins for a faster ball return system. The second angle top rear 4 facilitates easier discharge of bowling ball onto the ball return rails 15. Recess 5 secures the bowling ball for delivery to the ball return rails 15. Impact cushion 16 is attached to the impact sides of ball retriever 1 with adhesives however that is not to say that other means of fastening may also be used, the function of impact cushion 16 is to assist in diverting the ball and to lesson the stress placed on the fasteners 2 used to attach the ball retriever device 1 to the ball return wheel 6. Ball protector lip 17 insures against ball damage due to occasional high speed impact, ball protector lip 17 is shaped by the forming process of ball retriever 1, however other means of ball protection may also be used. One or more impact cushions (16) or other configurations and compositions may also be used however that is not to say that other means of bowling ball protection may also be used.

Reference 1

[0026]1. Retriever

[0027]2. Pop rivets

[0028]3. Elongated front angled edge

[0029]4. Second angle top rear

[0030]5. Recess

[0031]6. Ball return wheel

[0032]7. Bottom

[0033]8. Inside radius of the ball return wheel

[0034]9. Lead guide finger

[0035]10. Concave leading edge

[0036]11. Radius of bad guide finger

[0037]12. Ball lift rod

[0038]13. Leading edge

[0039]14. Top trailing edge

[0040]15. Ball return rails

[0041]16. Ball impact cushion

[0042]17. Ball protector lip

Reference 2

[0043] 1. The bowling ball retriever 1, operating on Brunswick models A and A2

[0044] 2. automatic pinsetters, is capable of operating at standard machine

[0045] 3. speeds. However to enhance it'capabilities, we utilize and do recommend

[0046] 4. using, a ball wheel speed reduction modification for Brunswick Models

[0047] 5. A and A2 as described hereinafter. The standard Brunswick Models

[0048] 6. A1 and A2 automatic pinsetter has been modified through a series of belt

[0049] 7. And pulley ratio changes that allow the ball wheel 6 (Brunswick Ref.

[0050] 8. #E142) to run approximately ⅓ of it's normal speed while keeping the

[0051] 9. other Brunswick components running at or near their standard speeds.

[0052] 10. Refering to Reference sheet 4 The speed reduction consists of the changing

[0053] 11. Of the length of belt-jack shaft cross drive (Brunswick Ref. #E7) the

[0054] 12. Diameter of sheave (Brunswick Ref. #E 40), the diameter of sheave

[0055] 13. (Brunswick Ref. #E40), the diameter of pulley assembly (Brunswick

[0056] 14. Ref. #PC 17), the diameter sheave (Brunswick Ref. #PC 61), the length

[0057] 15. Of ball wheel belt (Brunswick Ref. #E 6) and the diameter of sheave

[0058] 16. (Brunswick Ref. #E 41). 

What is claimed is:
 1. In an automatic pinsetter bowling machine including a ball return wheel (6) for discharge into bowling ball return rails (15), the improvement wherein retriever (1) device having a positive contact base and having one or more pieces with means for securing said device to the ball return wheel (6).
 2. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein bottom (7) of retriever (1) is configured convex to physically comply with the inside radius of the ball return wheel (8).
 3. A device recited in claim 1, wherein lead guide finger (9) of retriever (1) is designed to retrieve the ball, differentiating between said ball and pins, to guide, capture and house said ball in its concave leading edge (10) in the process of delivery and subsequent discharge into the ball return rails (15).
 4. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein the radius of the lead guide finger (11) applies the correct amount of pressure against the back ball lift rod (12) in the process of delivery and subsequent discharge into the ball return rails (15).
 5. A device as recited in claim 1, having a leading edge (13) with a radius for assisting in the process of delivery and subsequent discharge into the ball return rails (15).
 6. A device recited in claim 1, having a top trailing edge (14) for assisting in the process of delivery and subsequent discharge into the ball return rails (15).
 7. A device as recited in claim 1, having an elongated front angled edge (3) for assisting in the process of delivery and subsequent discharge into the ball return rails (15).
 8. A device as recited in claim 1, having an angle top rear (4) for assisting in the process of delivery and subsequent discharge into the ball return rails (15).
 9. A device as recited in claim 1, having a recess (5) for assisting in the process of delivery and subsequent discharge into the ball return rails (15).
 10. A device as recited in claim 1, having a ball impact cushion (16) for assisting in the process of delivery and subsequent discharge into the ball return rails (15).
 11. A device as recited in claim 1, having a ball protector lip (17) for assisting in the process of delivery and subsequent discharge into the ball return rails (15).
 12. In au automatic pinsetter bowling machine including a ball return wheel (6) for discharge into bowling ball return rails (15), a device comprising: a positive contact base and having one or more pieces with means for securing said device to ball return wheel (6) wherein lead guide finger (9) of retriever (1) is designed to retrieve the ball, differentiating between said ball and pins, to guide, capture and house said bail in its concave leading edge (10) in the process of delivery and subsequent discharge into the ball return rails (15).
 13. A device as recited in claim 12, wherein bottom (7) of retriever (1) is configured convex to physically comply with the inside radius of the ball return wheel (8).
 14. A device as recited in claim 12, wherein the radius of the lead guide finger (11) applies the correct amount of pressure against the back ball lift rod (12) in the process of delivery and subsequent discharge into the ball return rails (15).
 15. A device as recited in claim 12, having a leading edge (13) with a radius for assisting in the process of delivery and subsequent discharge into the ball return rails (15).
 16. A device as recited in claim 12, having a top trailing edge (14) for assisting in the process of delivery and subsequent discharge into the ball return rails (15).
 17. A device as recited in claim 12, having an elongated front angle edge (3) for assisting in the process of delivery and subsequent discharge into the ball return rails (15).
 18. A device as recited in claim 12, having an angle top rear (4) for assisting in the process of delivery and subsequent discharge into the ball return rails (15).
 19. A device as recited in claim 12, having a recess (5) for assisting in the process of delivery and subsequent discharge into the ball return rails (15).
 20. A device as recited in claim 12, having a ball impact cushion (16) for assisting in the process of delivery and subsequent discharge into the ball return rails (15).
 21. A device as recited in claim 12, having a ball protector lip (17) for assisting in the process of delivery and subsequent discharge into the ball return rails (15).
 22. In an automatic pinsetter bowling machine including a ball return wheel (6) for discharge into the bowling ball return rails (15), a device comprising: a positive contact base and having one or more pieces with means for securing said device to ball return wheel (6); wherein lead guide finger (9) of said device is designed to retrieve the ball, differentiating between said ball and pin, to guide, capture and house said ball in its concave leading edge (10) in the process of delivery and subsequent discharge into ball return rails (15); wherein the radius of the lead guide finger (11) of said device applies the correct amount of pressure against the back ball lift rod (12) in the process of delivery and subsequent discharge into the ball return rails (15); said device having a top trailing edge (14) for assisting in the process of delivery and subsequent discharge into the ball return rails (15); said device having an elongated front angle edge (3) for assisting in the process of delivery and subsequent discharge into the ball return rails (15); said device having an angle top rear (4) for assisting in the process of delivery and subsequent discharge into the ball return rails (15); said device having a recess (5) for assisting in the process of delivery and subsequent discharge into the ball return rails (15); said device having ball impact cushions (16) for assisting in the process of delivery and subsequent discharge into the ball return rails (15); said device having a ball protector lip (17) for assisting in the process of delivery and subsequent discharge into the ball return rails (15). 